So…they’re breaking the law by being here, but let’s let them PRACTICE law? That’s as screwed up as a football bat. This is the problem with not enforcing our immigration laws. What’s next? Illegals can run for mayor, or Congress…or be police chiefs?

Sean M on May 22, 2012 at 12:20 pm

Yes, I can see the issue here… However, IMHO, seeing as he was brought to the U.S. as a child he cannot be accused of a crime of moral turpitude…

Yes, you could say that he should have left as soon as he was legally of age but let’s face it… The U.S. is all he really knows… All his friends are here… All of his cultural references are here…

Also, if the CA State Bar doesn’t have specific residency/citizenship requirements then, IMHO, there’s no legal barrier for them to admit him to the bar…

As a side bar, this is exactly the kind (hard working, enterprising & educated) of immigrant that the U.S. should allow into the country…

Hans on May 22, 2012 at 12:25 pm

Debbie, I totally agree this is absurd and if it weren’t so sad for the US, it would be funny. You can’t make this stuff up but I have a question for you and I’m not baiting or saying this is my position but it will come up. He was a little kid when he was brought to the US so he had no say in that. His parents brought him up to be a good person with the only stain on them being their illegal crossing. The CA bar judges him to be a person of “good moral character” and lets assume that is true. Should he return himself and his parents to Mexico as an act of righteousness? That would in effect be a slap in their faces since in THIS case, they really were seeking the American Dream? I don’t question that a large percentage of illegals are outlaws in every sense of the word so I’m just wondering how you feel about deporting the ones who did make good and can give back to the society? I would say that there should be a system of meritorious citizenship bestowed on such people. They’ve proven they are not a drain on the system and can now contribute much more than anything they may have taken and should be legalized after so many years of productive residence. You need to go after the real criminal illegals who are bringing down American society. I have no illusions that rewarding the good ones will turn the bad ones around but why criminalize those who did just what our grand parents and great grandparents did. Don’t assume they were all “legals.” I assume you know the origin of the term WOP.

Italkit on May 22, 2012 at 12:25 pm

Yes, as it is , always place the blame on the other set of circumstances, it was not the kid’s fault he was brought here, so that gives him the moral right to stay here? Render to the Cesar what is the Cesar’s but does that mean that we as a nation are to make laws to cover every single situation that is not to our likeing? It the lacks of morality and belief in the good book, that compels the U.S. to make more laws,legislate morality is the goal; but it cannot be done. We cannot depend on making all the laws to cover every situation, it must start with a change, a revival of the American peoples, to not support such trash as what does the Kardashians marry this week, what the housewives are fighting about now, whether America has got talent, rebuke all that and start to stand for justice, equality, fairness, and obediance to the law of the Ceasar! get out from the computer or the video games, do not go to McDonald’s for breakfast lunch and dionner and compensate with a Diet Coke. The change must start from within and not just platitudes. It would be a pity indeed if the next step for these two lawyers would be to apply for and get a job at ICE, that is the ultimate insult! As has been posted before, beware of the “dumbing down of America” and remember it starts with YOU!

Rev. Umgana Khicqbouti on May 22, 2012 at 12:47 pm

I’m not in America and that was my question. Is the morally right thing to leave? I happen to believe there are victims in this world who shouldn’t be punished because of the actions of their victimizers, in this case, the parents even tho, they didn’t think they were harming the boy but I think some of your laws need to be revised. As for laws covering every minute aspect of your lives, you have that already if you really look. Your Immigration policy needs sweeping revisions. And while we’re at it, Rev. Umgana, what were your qualifications for getting an immigrant visa and being allowed to stay? What are you contributing? BTW, I’m Jewish, I do not “render unto Caesar,” I render unto God only. If the laws of my temporal residence line up with His law, I follow, if not, I don’t.

Italkit on May 22, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Given that illegal aliens enjoy low cost college tuition and other public benefits – why be against their practicing law?

No one sees anything wrong with it, so this is next logical step. Only in America.

I’m against all of this but our elites do damned well as they please, the rule of law be damned.

NormanF on May 22, 2012 at 1:41 pm

Criminals practicing law. Why complain Congress does it all the time

Clay Leissner on May 22, 2012 at 1:48 pm

Why not let illegals practice law? We have someone in the White House who hasn’t even proven himself to be a citizen, must less a “native born citizen” as proscribed by the Constitution.

Jerry on May 22, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Laws? We don’t need no stinkin’ laws.

JeffT on May 22, 2012 at 2:36 pm

Worry, I happen to think that a child brought to a country illegally by his parents, even if they turn out to be hard working, self sufficient and otherwise honest, is a victim. Why don’t you give up everything America has to offer? Do you stay only out of a totally altruistic sense of patriotism? I’m sure that’s part of it but be honest, if you could do better elsewhere, wouldn’t you want to try? I don’t know what’s involved in these young men changing their status and if they can they certainly should. I actually happen to think they should have the moral courage to go back to Mexico but I am realistic enough to know that’s not going to happen and if they have worked to become valuable members of US society, a way needs to be found for them to. That would apply to the parents if they’ve worked and contributed too. I also think however, the young men should not be given licenses to practice law and their right to work should be based on any applicant’s for citizenship, however that works. There are several hundred things one can do with a law degree other than practice as an officer of the court.

Italkit on May 22, 2012 at 3:04 pm

* for them to do so

Italkit on May 22, 2012 at 3:05 pm

I have an idea. When these illegal lawyers win cases, their opponents should refuse to uphold the court judgements that go in their favor, and point out the precedence of the winners not obeying the law.

The irony would be delicious, and it would be funny to see them screaming to uphold ‘the law’.

Infidel on May 22, 2012 at 3:13 pm

I had read the Florida case a few weeks ago. This is such BS. He should have never been admitted to law school in the first place as he was in violation of the law and made no attempt to even hide it. His admission essay even talked about how he had used false IDs all his life. So, in admitting several active crimes he was involved in, he was still accepted into the school. I believe he should never have been accepted in the degree program in the first place and his essay should have been evidence to arrest him and charge him with multiple crimes. Generally you can’t have a history of breaking the law to become a lawyer. Many have had their chances of becoming a lawyer destroyed for marijuana possession charges or other youthful screw ups like cheating or petty theft shoplifting. This guy has openly admitted to ongoing multiple law violations which would be grounds for disbarment already. This guy is lucky enough that he got the degree in the first place. He can go to his country of actual nationality regardless of whether he’s never lived there and still get a license to practice law there then apply for a work visa and apply for BAR membership then. All while working to legally apply for citizenship. I don’t know if he should even be aloud reentry since he committed fraud to get financial assistance. Maybe I repeat Maybe if he repays the money he swindled to pay for school and followed all the legal steps to straighten out his record, would I then consider letting him back in. Not saying I would, just that then I would think about it. What he is currently doing is an affront and a mockery of the legal system.

MarkSWFL on May 22, 2012 at 3:20 pm

Further thought about it, wouldn’t allowing either of these fools into the BAR set a dangerous legal precedent that would give attorneys a way to argue that our immigration laws are null and void? It could give them carte blanche to argue that there is no need to obtain citizenship since effectively these jokers have gotten pretty much everything a citizen would get. This may have much wider implications then we’re seeing here. Some insight from an actual lawyer would help DS, please Debbie help me figure this out.

MarkSWFL on May 22, 2012 at 3:34 pm

Great article Debbie.

Since I am licensed as an architect in Florida, I checked with my State of Florida Department of Regulation, for architects.

the person there said that in order to sit for the exam to obtain an architectural license in Florida, the person would need a social security number. Period. I asked if they check the SSAN and she said they did not. She said they do not do a background check, no fingerprints, etc. I asked here then could an alien get to be an architect. She said , “well yes”.

WTF

Therefor, someone with a phony SSAN could, after going to college for the prerequisite number of years and serve as an apprentice and meet all the other requirements, with a phony SSAN, could sit for the exam.

Since California has case law on this subject, other states all of which regulate the practice of architecture would allow licensure of aliens.

Evidently there are no aliens any more in the US. We have de facto dream act at the Federal level.

Once you get here, however you get here, you are not an alien, but are some kind of citizen. The rule of law is horribly going the way of the buggy whip.

Panhandle on May 22, 2012 at 3:39 pm

Well, I guess they’re just doing the work that American citizens won’t do.

Then again, as suggested above, the other side could include the lawyer’s illegality as a defense on appeal.

Little Al on May 22, 2012 at 3:59 pm

What part of illegal doesn’t anyone understand? Frankly I don’t give a damn how many good things an illegal did, he/she/it is still illegal, period. Import the 3rd world , you become the 3rd world so GTF out of my country.

Drakken on May 22, 2012 at 4:09 pm

We have murderers, drug dealers, bank robbers who were admitted to law school. Many were admitted to the bar. Our legal system has been so devalued by money grubbing law schools, and state bars that are not much better.

Jonathan E. Grant on May 22, 2012 at 4:31 pm

Go ahead and let this guy practice law in CA, but only after he returns to mexico and applies through the normal legal process, not by breaking our laws. Deport him now. He has already admitted to breaking multiple US laws.

And if we the American taxpayer picked up any of his or his families expenses through welfare and public assistance, I want them to return our money now. Go back to mexico, you law breaking, lying scumbag lawyer wannabe. Great, that’s just what America needs, illegal alien lawyers representing other illegal aliens.

Jarhead on May 22, 2012 at 4:42 pm

Just to remind everybody, prior to 9/11 it was possible to get a perfectly legal social security number (though the card specifically stated “not for employment”) for a variety of reasons (e.g. opening a bank account)…

I’m neither a US national nor a US resident but I have such a social security number myself…

Hans on May 22, 2012 at 5:32 pm

What a freaky-deaky state! And I come from Massachusetts! My goodness, they are starkers on the Left Coast!!!

It’s no wonder. The sicko-psychos of California got rid of Gray Davis only almost a decade later to re-elect Jerry Brown! There is a punk rock song about stupid Gov. Brown (from his FIRST term) that is older than most of the OWS pukes! My goodness, the mind boggles…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN-_UOvwNA8

California Uber Alles!

Skunky on May 22, 2012 at 5:51 pm

So this illegal alien graduated from law school?

I wonder how his expenses for college and law school were financed. Did the taxpayers finance this illegal alien? I wonder what branch of law he will specialize in. Hopefully not constitution law.

But I wouldn’t be surprised if it is immigration law.

Little Al on May 22, 2012 at 8:58 pm

And maybe if he’s admitted to the bar he can run for Congress, and become the first illegal alien (as far as we know) to be in Congress.

He can join the rest of the crooks that are there.

Little Al on May 22, 2012 at 9:01 pm

If I had a dollar for every ICE agent who told me they can’t wait to retire so they can start smoking pot (again)…I could buy dinner for all of us. SKUNKY…just because I live in CA doesn’t mean I drink the Brown Kool-Aid..we are sunk!

#1 Vato on May 22, 2012 at 9:59 pm

Re my prior comment, would it be too much for someone to inspect his school records, both law school and 4-year degree, and ascertain that all information on them is truthful, and that all information on his financial aid applications, assuming this applies, is also truthful?

But then again they gave Bernadine Dohrn her law license, so standards for entry into the legal profession have been eroding for some time.

Little Al on May 23, 2012 at 1:26 am

Skunky, lovely name for a woman BTW, That’s why I asked. I didn’t realize that freedom of speech only applies to citizens. I thought anyone was free to comment. How do you know I don’t have a dog in this race since you don’t know me? As it happens, I’m a Jewish Israeli and it is totally irrelevant to my comment which is why I didn’t bother mentioning it.

Italkit on May 23, 2012 at 3:39 am

First of all, Skunky, before you go on one of your famous rants, I want to say that I agree with many of your posts so don’t bother with stupid personal attacks here. If you disagree fine but you are not always right about people you don’t know personally.

I agree Worry but unless and until DS censors my remarks, I assume they are acceptable, if not agreeable.

Actually, your comparison to “palestinians” is not valid because that’s exactly the situation we have here. We never annexed or cut free the “territories” so we are left with a bunch of residents who do work for Citizens both Jewish and Arab and who get medical treatment and education. We have Arab MK’s who basically are proxies for the PA, Hamas and any other non-Israeli entity. The thing is, Israel was set up to assimilate Jewish immigrants but the US has always accepted immigrants from every country in the world. I’m not saying you have to, but why throw good people out when you have a huge problem with genuine deadbeats and useless types?
Quite honestly, your claims of “ethnic cleansing” sound like paranoia. That argument is what was used to not annex Judea and Samaria in 1967 but guess what? The Jewish birth rate now exceeds the Arab and it’s not all religious who are doing it. It’s also the argument WASPS used 100 years ago to set immigration quotas on those they considered less desirable. Maybe you Anglos need to start procreating at a rate higher than 1.6 kids per family or whatever it is. The fact is most people outside the US are totally unaware of the fact that Hispanics are attacking Blacks in large organized numbers, which, if I understand you correctly, is what’s going on. Are you sure this is “ethnic cleansing” or is it a turf war in the ghettos akin to the Mafia wars of the last century? That being said, I agree you have a problem but it’s a different one from ours.
One thing that bothers me about this group of commenters, despite many good and thoughtful insights, is your intolerance for questions from outsiders. You’ll talk about the biased media but then when those of us who only have them to rely on, ask questions, you raise your hackles and get defensive. That, quite honestly, is not very convincing as to your accuracy. Why don’t y’all try to have some reasoned dialogue even when you disagree and help enlighten those who may be wrong simply from lack of knowledge?

Italkit on May 23, 2012 at 7:17 am

One analogy with Palestinians that also applies is the high level of criminal activity within both Palestinians and illegal immigrants here, and of course there is some overlap between Palestinians and illegals here.

Another similarity is the high level of handouts given to both groups — Israeli (and US) handouts to the Palestinians and the lack of gratitude of both groups.

Most illegals here haven’t yet become terrorists, but one long-range effect of tolerating illegals here (and now attorneys) is to miseducate a massive group here to disrespect our legal system and laws.

Groups and nations have been winning and losing territories for thousands of years. Both we and the Israelis have developed the areas under their control, and there is no doubt that the people there are living better than they would otherwise — it would’t be much of a lapse to total lack of civilization otherwise, since they’re very close to that now. We would just have savages running around in the Southwest and in the few parts of the Mideast where savages don’t already have complete control.

Little Al on May 23, 2012 at 7:27 am

Does anyone know if this illegal wannabe lawyer Garcia is a member of la raza?

Jarhead on May 23, 2012 at 9:46 am

Debbie I agree 99% with your views, but it seems that everytime you write about illegal immigration you post the same picture of latino men standing around smiling at the one grabbing himself while the other is giving the bird. Maybe I am mistaken, but didn’t Hitler had posters portraying all Jews as evil? I don’t think this kid that graduated from college and passed the state bar was at one time standing at corners grabbing his crotch or flipping people off. I agree he should return to his country and request to enter our country legally, but lets not portray him as evil or a monster.

david7 on May 24, 2012 at 1:34 am